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Archive for the ‘Local Services’ Category

The Localism Act – over to you

by Ian Shires on 14 February, 2012

Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By Alex Marsh | Published 13th February 2012 – 9:15 am Last Wednesday the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) collaborated with Bristol City Councilto run a major one-day conference on the Localism Act, which is now rapidly moving towards implementation. The audience comprised primarily local authority elected members and senior officers. The conference was kicked off […]

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Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By Ed Davey MP | Published 9th February 2012 – 4:27 pm Some things in politics are symbolic. For dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists like the Liberal Democrats, solar power is one of these things – indisputably clean, green and cutting edge technology. The sort of thing Liberal Democrats in a government that aims to be […]

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“Steptoe and Son” – Council Style

by Ian Shires on 8 February, 2012

Walsall Council collects our household rubbish, recycling and garden waste. What is stopping them from collecting our scrap iron? No, I’m serious about this! Why shouldn’t the Council, either directly or at arms length through owner operators, take this issue by the scruff of the neck and go into the scrap business? By doing this […]

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Transport Minister Norman Baker yesterday announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote economic growth and cut carbon. The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access to employment […]

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Cold Weather Payments WV12

by Ian Shires on 8 February, 2012

The Met Office have notified the Department for Work and Pensions that 1 period of very cold weather has occurred in the WV12 postcode area between 1 November 2011 and 6 February 2012, triggering a Cold Weather Payment. If you have qualified for Cold Weather Payments since 1 November and live in this postcode area, […]

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Some really interesting data showing the East / West divide on health issues across Walsall which manifests itself in an 8 year life expectancy difference across our borough, a point which Liberal Democrats on the Council have made on numerous occasions. Bringing “Public Health” back under the jurisdiction of local councils gives us the opportunity to […]

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Gas Alliance – Concerns

by Ian Shires on 5 February, 2012

Contractors working for Gas Alliance seem to be hitting a few problems with work being carried out replacing pipework on the Huntlands Estate in Short Heath. Some residents are reporting delays in connections to new pipework and this weekend during the freezing weather conditions exposed water froze leaving some without water for a time. Liberal […]

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Fighting Anti Social Behaviour in Willenhall North

by Ian Shires on 5 February, 2012

Out on site visits Friday checking out anti social behaviour issues on Sneyd Park and Coppice Farm. Action plans being drawn up by all agencies involved. Other activity last week  in the battle against anti social behaviour across the North Willenhall area including Squires Grove and alleyway next to 284 Lichfield Road.

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“State of the Ark” Road Repairs Fiasco!!

by Ian Shires on 1 February, 2012

Having spent another weekend photographing potholes across New Invention and Short Heath I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from Tory cabinet members at last night’s Corporate Scrutiny Panel as they defended a proposal to change the council’s “repairing highway defects” policy in order to save £20,000 each year. The proposal shifts the response time for […]

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Lib Dem MPs win concessions ahead of benefits cap vote

by Ian Shires on 31 January, 2012

Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By The Voice | Published 31st January 2012 – 7:35 am Lib Dem MPs, including the party’s deputy leader Simon Hughes, look set to obtain concessions from Iain Duncan Smith to win their support for the Coalition’s controversial welfare bill, which will introduce a benefit cap of a maximum of £26,000. Here’s how The […]

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